League-leading Real (19-2) faces a major test from a Monaco team (10-11) clinging onto a place in the top ten after losing three of the last four.
Chus Mateo, Real Madrid: 'Monaco has a clear goal'
Seasons
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 22 of 34
Regular Season
AS MonacoASM
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Real MadridRMB
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Injured anchor Walter Tavares will be missed after dominating the paint with a club-record 19 rebounds in last week's overtime win over Valencia. Donatas Motiejunas will look to put his long-range scoring ability (40% for three-pointers) to good use. Real cruised at home, 91-73, when the teams met in Round 9 behind 21 points from shooting star Dzanan Musa, who has recorded double-digit scoring in six straight games.
Sasa Obradovic, Monaco head coach
"Jordan and Elie are clutch players and we're delighted to have them back. We're hoping to create the same great chemistry as last season. That gives us options around Mike. It's going to be a match against a great team, but it's also going to be an unorthodox match, because Madrid will be missing players who will adapt and come up with different solutions. We're also going to have to adapt to dealing with inside players who get out of bounds. Controlling Real's fast-break points. This little break since the last day of the championship in Paris has been good for us, both mentally and physically. Real have also had time to prepare. A win against Madrid would count double for us. We want to give it our best shot."
Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach
"It's never easy to play a team with that amount of individual talent, especially in the perimeter. That talent can solve games for itself sometimes. Monaco has a clear goal and they are fighting for it - making the playoffs. I think they can get there for sure. I expect a difficult game in which we will have to play hard and I hope we can see a good face of our team because when we play well, we have more chances to win."
Jordan Loyd, Monaco player
"The EuroLeague forces you to try and win every game. Everything is very tight. We know we can do it against Madrid. They're a very strong team and they can punish you at any time if you don't defend exactly as you should. We're happy to have Elie back and to have a full squad. It changes a lot of things. Personally, I feel a lot better. Now it's more a question of rhythm and fitness, but I can concentrate on playing, which is very important. I'll have to be mentally ready this Friday, to be able to go out and get this result."
Guerschon Yabusele, Real Madrid player
"A tough game awaits us against Monaco. We know they play aggressive from start to finish, and they have quality players. We will need concentration, playing hard and energy to the last breath if we want to take this win. The EuroLeague is very hard and it demnands that all the team is on the same page. I think this game reflects what this competition is."